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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
An unreel change for
Wallace’s art house
theater managerThe future of foreign and independent art house films at Wallace Theater Corp.'s Art House at Restaurant Row is in question, just as the industry is growing.
The company did not renew the contract of Don Brown, hired initially as general manager. His role more recently had become a marketing position, until his contract expired Sept. 30.
"I left on good terms," and will continue to rent theaters for "special presentations and movies and things," he said.
His contract was not renewed because, "they weren't happy with the concession numbers," Brown said.
People who go to art-house films are not big consumers of typical movie theater concession fare, which is the big money-maker for theaters.
Once the theater manager for the Honolulu Academy of Arts, which has no concession stand, Brown knows the audience.
"The demographic was a little older, more worldly in what they eat and what they eat isn't necessarily what a 15-year-old would eat."
Brown tried to get the company to change the theaters' concession selection, making his own suggestions and passing along movie-goers' requests. It didn't happen.
It was likely a purchasing challenge the company was unwilling to tackle for the only art house it operates, Brown said.
The nine-screen multiplex is booked with art-house fare through the end of the year, but Brown isn't privy to the company's plans.
Over the summer Wallace dropped ticket prices to as low as 50 cents at its theaters in Kailua and Hilo, but charges the regular amount for drinks and snacks.
"I hope they don't go to the dollar thing ... this community needs an art house," said Brown.
Wallace officials could not be reached.
For decades in Honolulu, art house film buffs had to rush to Consolidated Theatres' Varsity Twins to see a movie before it disappeared.
In recent years the industry has grown tremendously.
"Ten years ago, there were just a few studios controlling everything. Now, there are many smaller distributors," Brown said.
The spread of digital technology has spurred an increase in the number of films and documentaries being made, he said.
Brown has joined Maui Film Festival Director Barry Rivers to work on a hush-hush project.
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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at: eengle@starbulletin.com
